Observation of Hong Kong (2004-05-24)
Interesting things about Hong Kong that I have noted:
- Air conditioning is cranked up to full blast in most places. The ladies' room in Maxim's fast food restaurant at Tai Po Station is so cold that you can get frostbite from staying more than a few minutes inside. And the KCR train has the coldest temperature of all train lines. When KL stepped out into the heat after riding on their train for just a short while, his glasses became all fogged up. That's how cold it is.
- Shop staff will always try to sell you something extra when you
pay for your shopping at the cashier. They don't pressure you but
they will always offer.
- Most escalators, especially those inside MTR train stations, are very fast. We both nearly tripped on the very first one we rode. When they tell people to hold on to the rail, they really mean it.
- Restaurants serve up your dishes super quickly. Of all the meals we ate, we never had to wait more than three minutes for our order to be brought to the table. There must be an army of chefs in the kitchens ready to fire the second an order is placed.
- People also walk fast. Seems like a large number of Hong Kongers are always in a hurry. No wonder so many of them are skinny. If you sprint the whole day, there's not much chance you'll get fat.
- Some Hong kongers have interesting but bizarre names. In
our short few days
there, I've come across names such as Charmy, Churic, Ceci, Checkita,
Fardi, Sinny, Yoki, Yuji and Benna. Talking about letting your
imagination run wild.
- People are generally happy to pose for pictures. All you have to do is point your camera at your subject and often than not he/she will obligingly put on a smile for you. At times when less eager people find out you're taking their shots, they'll cast you a nonchalant glance and go back doing their business. Unlike the Japanese, Hong Kongers are pretty generous about having their photos taken.
- Passengers can be quite fierce snatching that empty seat on trains. I have learned to stay out of their way to avoid being knocked over.
- Each thick newspaper is sold in its own plastic carry bag, making
it very
easy to carry around and you do see lots of people walk around with one
in tow.
- Construction workers use bamboo poles and strings to make
scaffolding for buildings. They obviously don't think metal
poles, bolts and nuts are sturdy enough.
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